FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 2, 2002
CONTACT: LINDA MACIAS/PAUL TODD (202) 225-6161

Baca endorses Menendez for Democratic Caucus chair

"We must seize this opportunity to break yet another glass ceiling and elect Bob Menendez. He has already set the standard with his pioneering experience and impeccable communication. Democrats, Hispanics, and all Americans will benefit from Bob's continued leadership."

"Bob's leadership has been instrumental to our effort to win back the House for the Democrats. While the Republicans court the Hispanic vote with fiestas and photo opportunities, Bob and the rest of the Democratic Leadership have worked on real issues important to our communities like education, health care, immigration, and basic American rights."

"Working tirelessly to promote issues important to women, Bob has consistently used his vote and his leadership to preserve a women's right to choose, gain family-friendly workplaces, provide women with access to quality healthcare, and to keep women safe and secure as equal members of society."

"Bob has used his position as leader of the Democratic Caucus Education Task Force to make our schools safer, make our schools more effective, and to make our schools accessible to low income and minority students. We need Bob's continued leadership on education, on health care, on national security, and on the financial security of all Americans in this new century."

"As the first Hispanic elected to the leadership of either body, Bob has done a terrific job closing the divide between Hispanic issues and American issues. He has been a leader both within the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and within the larger Democratic Party. He has helped to blend the Hispanic message of empowerment and fairness into the Democratic message of security for the benefit of all Americans."

"This is one Nation with one set of common ideals and one belief in freedom and equality. Hispanic issues are American issues. Bob Menendez will bring this concept of unity, fairness, and justice to the Democratic leadership and to the leadership of the United States Congress."

# # #